8 and a half months, running again
I had surgery on 17 March and it’s been a slow but steady road since. But now I’m starting to forget more and more about my injury, and was able to run for the first time since I got hurt. That to me feels like full recovery, even though I still have some strength to regain.
My tendon still looks very thick, but range of motion is there and I’m able to do full single leg calf raises now. I do get tired sooner on that leg, but even that is starting to fade away. I’m also able to hike on rough trails again, and am going backpacking for the first time next month.
Hang in there, everybody. I’ve appreciated your support and information during my recovery and I hope to continue to support your recoveries, too!
December 2nd, 2015 at 2:53 pm
This is excellent news. Unfortunately your tendon will always be a bit thicker than the other but over the years it does get better. It will be interesting to see if you leg fatigues over distance carrying a pack. You may have some strength to regain but being able to do the things you want to is a positive sign of recovery.
December 4th, 2015 at 10:34 am
@Stuart, thanks for the reply! I am looking forward to the next test, and will share anything that I think would be of interest to the group. As for the appearance of my tendon, I was never destined to be a foot model so I think I will get over it.
I am told that it remodels some after about a year, but my aim of course is just for full functionality.
Again, thanks for the support!
December 5th, 2015 at 3:31 am
Hey cpo, great to hear you’re getting back to normal! That’s the thing I fear most - that when I get better, the injury will be in the back of my mind for whatever sport I will play. But, like you, baby steps first, then hopefully I’ll be able to run again also like you.
December 5th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Nice to hear from you, @Andyw, but sorry that you are in the club. I see from your blog that you are early in your recovery, which for me were the tougher days. Early on I kept a brief journal, which helped me see progress, just a sentence or two each day. Also, I see you decided against the knee bike, but I really did find amazing freedom from that.
I would Uber to the local grocery store with my knee bike and it made me feel like I was accomplishing something. Later I actually would “hike” with it. Other things I found useful, which you’ve probably already heard about, were a shower bag and a shower chair. But mostly it just helped to think about how nearly everyone has a 100% recovery, regardless of non-op vs op and the length of time NWB. Hang in there, and it does get better (much better). I forget about my injury most of the time now.
December 14th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Hello! I am at a similar point as you in my recovery. My surgery was May 5th and I am in the VERY beginning stages of running. I am curious if you are following any sort of protocol or instructions for running? For instance, are you starting out with intervals, maybe a couple minutes of jogging followed by a couple minutes of walking? I am going at a very slow pace. Mentally, I can’t shake the worry of potentially injuring myself again, but I’m sure I’ll get past it. Thanks in advance!
December 14th, 2015 at 7:56 pm
@keg27, I am stepping up very incrementally. I started by running just 2 minutes on a treadmill at a very slow pace, then went to 5 minutes, then went outside. My first real run was on a track, so that I didn’t have to worry about potholes or uneven sidewalks, and I only went 1.2 miles at a 12 minute pace (I’m usually a 9 minute miler). I have plenty of ROM, but not that much strength in my calf. Interval training sounds like a good plan, actually. I never did that before so it actually didn’t occur to me to try that.
After each run, I’d ice and watch for swelling or discomfort the next day (never had any). From there, I’d stretched it out a bit more…but very slowly (I am still only running two miles at a clip). I have fatigue in the calf muscle during the late stages of each run, which tells me that I’m more susceptible to injury at that point. I used to see stopping during a run as failure, but now I see it as taking what my calf and achilles will give me.
It sounds like you are being very intentional in your recovery, which I think will lead to good results. I am impatient by nature, but this injury has taught me to listen to my body and to avoid the trap of pushing myself like I used to do as a competitive athlete. Re-rupture seems like something to be avoided at all costs. Revisions are way more complicated…and no way do I want to start this clock again.
I do find that I forget more and more about my injury, even while running, so I’m sure you will, too. Good luck in your recovery, and happy running!
December 15th, 2015 at 9:20 am
Thanks so much for the reply! It’s nice to get such great feedback and support on this site.
I like what you wrote about listening to your body. I’ve always been prone to tightness and pain in my calves and Achilles while running, even back in high school. I’d get frustrated and try to push through. This injury has really taught me to slow down a bit and understand that I need to take care of myself better, to stretch more, rest, and stop if I need to.
If you don’t mind me asking, at what point did you end physical therapy? I was never given formal discharge from my therapist. I basically just stopped going about a month ago because I was sick of the $35 co-pays, especially since I can stretch, ice, and do calf raises at home!
December 15th, 2015 at 11:04 am
My last PT visit was October 8, which is nearly 7 months post-op. But I had scaled way back in the few months leading up to discharge, generally going every other week. I agree that it was of limited utility after I started to resume more normal activity, as I could pretty much do everything on my own that was happening during PT.
My OS told me that doing a single calf raise was the benchmark for being able to hike on rocky trails, kayak, run, etc., and that came for me in September. I still do a lot of calf raises, which has helped me quite a bit. Doing a single leg calf raise was basically my ticket to leave PT.
Part of the issue with PT was that my PT was the most experienced in her practice with achilles ruptures…and mine was her third one ever. If I were doing it over again (which I hope not to!), I would hunt around to find a PT that had seen a good number of these injuries. It sounds like you are probably doing it right to transition away, IMO. I did keep my PT’s contact info and would have reached back to her (or my OS, depending on the issue) if I’d had a setback.
Anyway, you sound like you are ahead of where I was at the same point, so good for you! My first run was a huge mental hurdle, and it’s gotten easier from there. Good luck!
December 17th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
Great to find this site. I tore my left Achilles on 6/25/15 and had surgery on 7/2/15. I’m a 50 year old male in pretty good shape. I’m 24 weeks post op today. I’m running on the treadmill very slowly (12 minute miles) and following the PT’s orders and workout orders. I’m a big snow skier and want to get back in the boot on 2/1/16. I’m mentally freaked out about it and need to get past it.
I feel really good, just the mental piece holds me back.
December 18th, 2015 at 11:16 am
I’m jealous. I had surgery on 12/19/2015, and had to cancel my February trip to Jackson Hole. I’m already looking forward to 2017. Enjoy the skiing.
December 18th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
@BA, sounds like you are doing great. You are three months behind me and yet right even with me, great work! You are smart to listen to your PT, and it sounds like you are on track re skiing. Your PT obviously knows better than me, but it seems like a ski boot provides a good amount of protection for your tendon. I am a skier, as well, and had flashbacks to walking in ski boots when I was in my achilles boot.
@Howard, sorry to hear that you had to cancel your trip. I missed a few trips, as well, but setting goals has really helped my recovery. I journaled quite a bit early on, as well, just a sentence or two each day, but it helped me to see progress. Good luck to you, and hang in there!
December 18th, 2015 at 10:40 pm
Of course the year I get hurt the west is having epic early snowfall. We shall see if I make the 2/1/16 goal. I’m going to the gym in the morning and going thru my routine. One of the scariest exercises is jumping rope. Scary!
Hang in there everyone. Celebrate small victories.